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Henderson has coordinating experience; he was the Jets DC from 2004-2005 before running the Lions defense in 2006. He's been with coach Doug Marrone the past two seasons but also could follow Pettine to Cleveland. Rodak also mentions Gregg Williams as a potential Pettine replacement. Williams was in Tennessee this past season but was let go when Ken Whisenhunt was hired. Fri, Jan 24, 2014 10:02:00 AM

Bills DC Mike Pettine said it’s too early to declare what schematic changes he may implement.

The Jets were widely known as a 3-4 team during Pettine's four-year tenure, but he called that a misconception. "The cornerstone of our system is its flexibility and its multiplicity," Pettine said. "We’ll be in 3-4, we’ll be in 4-3, we’ll be in 46. If you can draw up a front, we’ll probably be in it." Under Pettine (and Rex Ryan), New York’s defense never ranked lower than eighth in the NFL in yards allowed. Last season, the Bills ranked 22nd. Sat, Jan 26, 2013 10:00:00 AM

Pettine's contract with the Jets expired after the season and he reportedly wanted to stretch his own wings outside of Rex Ryan's defensive shadow. So he makes the lateral move inside the division and joins new coach Doug Marrone's staff. Pettine's unit ranked eighth in 2012 despite losing Darrelle Revis for the season in Week 3. And in the three years before that, the Jets' defense was inside the top-five each season. The Bills, who have bounced between a 3-4 and a 4-3 over the last two years, have some serious building blocks on defense in DE Mario Williams, DT Marcell Dareus and CB Stephon Gilmore. Pettine figures to bring an aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme to Buffalo. Wed, Jan 9, 2013 09:11:00 AM

The Bills have requested permission to interview Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine for the same job in Buffalo.

Bills-to-Jets defensive coordinator would be a lateral move, so the Jets could block Pettine from interviewing if they so choose. Pettine has consistently fielded top-notch defenses in New York, after following Rex Ryan over from the Ravens in 2009. He'd be joining new coach Doug Marrone's staff in Buffalo. Tue, Jan 8, 2013 12:12:00 AM

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Bills DC Mike Pettine said it’s too early to declare what schematic changes he may implement.

The Jets were widely known as a 3-4 team during Pettine's four-year tenure, but he called that a misconception. "The cornerstone of our system is its flexibility and its multiplicity," Pettine said. "We’ll be in 3-4, we’ll be in 4-3, we’ll be in 46. If you can draw up a front, we’ll probably be in it." Under Pettine (and Rex Ryan), New York’s defense never ranked lower than eighth in the NFL in yards allowed. Last season, the Bills ranked 22nd.

Pettine's contract with the Jets expired after the season and he reportedly wanted to stretch his own wings outside of Rex Ryan's defensive shadow. So he makes the lateral move inside the division and joins new coach Doug Marrone's staff. Pettine's unit ranked eighth in 2012 despite losing Darrelle Revis for the season in Week 3. And in the three years before that, the Jets' defense was inside the top-five each season. The Bills, who have bounced between a 3-4 and a 4-3 over the last two years, have some serious building blocks on defense in DE Mario Williams, DT Marcell Dareus and CB Stephon Gilmore. Pettine figures to bring an aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme to Buffalo.

The Bills have requested permission to interview Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine for the same job in Buffalo.

Bills-to-Jets defensive coordinator would be a lateral move, so the Jets could block Pettine from interviewing if they so choose. Pettine has consistently fielded top-notch defenses in New York, after following Rex Ryan over from the Ravens in 2009. He'd be joining new coach Doug Marrone's staff in Buffalo.

The Bills will interview Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker for the same position in Buffalo.

Tucker is among the Jacksonville assistant coaches currently in limbo as the organization searches for a new GM. Tucker interviewed for the University of Wisconsin head-coaching job last month. His 2012 defense ranked No. 30 in the NFL in total yards, but checked in as the sixth-best defense in 2011. Tucker has been the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville since 2009.

Bills have requested permission to interview Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine for the same position in Buffalo.

Pettine's contract runs through the 2012 season, so he will technically be a coaching free agent in a few weeks. Normally, the Jets could deny the request by the Bills, but they don't really have much control over Pettine. As you may recall, Pettine turned down an extension in New York just last month. Bills head coach Doug Marrone is said to be seeking experienced coordinators, and Pettine would fit the bill.

The Buffalo Bills announced Friday night that they have formally interviewed three head-coaching candidates: Lovie Smith, Chip Kelly, and Doug Marrone.

The dates of the Smith and Marrone interviews are undisclosed. The Kelly interview took place late Friday in Arizona. It must've been brief because he was with the Browns all day. Kelly will interview with the Eagles on Saturday. The Bills interviewed Ken Whisenhunt on Wednesday. They will apparently interview Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton on Saturday.

Sources tell WGR Radio that the Bills plan to interview former Bears coach Lovie Smith this weekend.

The Bills are casting a wide net in their search to replace Chan Gailey. They've been linked to Chip Kelly, Ray Horton, Doug Marrone and Ken Whisenhunt. Smith's turnover-forcing Cover-two defense that worked wonders in Chicago would certainly fit well in Buffalo. Although the Bills ranked 26th in points allowed last year, their defense is laden with talent. Smith was fired by the Bears Monday despite going 10-6 this season and posting a 81-63 overall record during his tenure that included one Super Bowl appearance.

The Bills will interview Ken Whisenhunt for their head coaching vacancy Wednesday.

Much like Andy Reid, Whisenhunt is not expected to be out of work for long after getting fired by the Cardinals on Monday. He'll be interviewing for the Bills' job along with the likes of his former defensive coordinator Ray Horton, Syracuse coach Doug Marrone and possibly ex-Bears coach Lovie Smith. Whisenhunt went 45-41 in six seasons with the Cardinals and led them to their only Super Bowl appearance. He has a connection to fast-rising Bills assistant GM Doug Whaley, who was in the Steelers' front office when Whisenhunt was a coordinator there.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora also confirms that Cleveland, along with Arizona obviously, will also interview Horton for the head coach job. The consensus on Monday seems to be that Buffalo will hire a defensive mind to help turn around an uber-talented and high-priced defensive unit that badly underachieved in 2012. Lovie Smith has also been connected to the job. Horton's defense in Arizona ranked No. 12 in total yards per game this year.

Edwards, who was hired in 2010, will be replaced by former Bears and Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt, who served as the Bills' linebackers coach in 2011. Edwards' firing is hardly without cause, as the Bills were 30th in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed one season after ranking 28th and 24th, respectively. Wannstedt should be an upgrade, but lacks building blocks outside of NT Marcell Dareus and FS Jairus Byrd.

Bills coach Chan Gailey is reportedly meeting with former Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt on Thursay.

Gailey was Wannstedt's offensive coordinator with the Dolphins a decade ago, so the two are tight. The Buffalo News suggests Wannstedt will take on an assistant head coach/oversight role if he opts to join Gailey's staff. A former coordinator with the Dolphins and Cowboys, Wannstedt's experience would come in handy with the Bills struggling under first-time NFL coordinator George Edwards in 2010.

Buffalo is allowing opponents an average of 178.2 rushing yards per game, which is on pace to be the most YPG allowed since the 1987 Falcons.

The Bills haven't been able to settle on a defensive scheme, shifting from the 3-4 to the 4-3, and then back to the 3-4 again in Week 9. Jahvid Best and Cedric Benson are poised for big games in the upcoming weeks.

Bills hired longtime college coach Daryl Daye as an assistant head coach on Friday.

Daye enters his first season in the NFL after nearly 25 years of college experience. He most recently was the defensive coordinator, special teams coach, and LBs coach at Missouri Southern. Daye's responsibilities will include assisting head coach Chan Gailey in day-to-day operations.

Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio reports the Bills will hire University of Florida defensive coordinator George Edwards for the same position in Buffalo. The Bills have confirmed the report.

Edwards left the Dolphins for the Gators job just three weeks ago. Since 1998, he has served as a successful linebackers coach with the Cowboys, Redskins, Browns, and Dolphins. It was in Dallas that he worked with head coach Chan Gailey. In his first experience as a coordinator, Edwards indicated that he will start out with a "3-4" scheme with an ability to flex to a "4-3" at times. It's still a big change for a defense that has run "4-3" for nine years.

Depth Charts

Bills GM Doug Whaley said he does not want to see rookie QB Cardale Jones get any snaps this season.

"That would mean something terrible happened," Whaley said. The GM was noncommittal on Tyrod Taylor's future with the team, but the reality is the Bills do not have any other options. Jones is a fourth-round project who struggled with inaccuracy in camp, and there is zero chance the Bills will feel comfortable handing him the keys next season. With backup E.J. Manuel headed to free agency, Jones could serve as the No. 2 next year.

LeSean McCoy rushed 17 times for 130 yards in the Bills' 38-24, Week 13 loss to the Raiders.

McCoy wasn't just a threat on the ground; he also led the Bills with seven catches for 61 yards on seven targets. With Robert Woods, Charles Clay, and Percy Harvin all missing this one, McCoy had to take on a bigger pass-game role behind a less-than-100-percent Sammy Watkins and Marquise Goodwin. McCoy's fantasy owners surely would have preferred he score at least one of the two touchdowns backup Mike Gillislee scored one and two yards out. McCoy was still able to get "his" and again opened the third quarter with a monster 54-yard run after coming out of halftime with a 75-yard touchdown run last week. McCoy will be an elite RB1 next week against the Steelers.

Watkins' foot injury has been described as a matter of pain tolerance, and he's apparently getting used to it. Watkins played 49-of-72 snaps in Week 13, a rate more than high enough to make him an upside WR3 against the Steelers.

Goodwin entered this one with a minor wrist issue, but he ended up leading all Bills receivers in snaps with Robert Woods (knee) and Percy Harvin (illness) out. His eight targets were second-most to Sammy Watkins' nine. Goodwin hasn't done much in recent weeks. He'll be a WR4 next week against the Steelers.

He's done for the year. The Bills talked Harvin out of retirement in early November, only for Harvin to appear in just two games and eventually suffer another bout of migraines. At age 28, Harvin's career is once again in doubt.

Bills coach Rex Ryan is "hopeful" Robert Woods (knee) will return against the Steelers in Week 14.

Ryan likes what he's seen from Woods at practice this week. OC Anthony Lynn also anticipates Woods playing, though he isn't sure how much. Woods has missed the last two games with a sprained knee. With Sammy Watkins back, he's merely a WR3/4.

Bills WR Brandon Tate left Sunday's Week 8 game against the Patriots and is being evaluated for a concussion.

He hauled in two-of-three targets for 17 yards and rushed once for 14 yards before exiting early in the third quarter. With Marquise Goodwin (concussion) out and Robert Woods playing through a foot injury, the Bills' receiving corps is paper thin right now.

Charles Clay will not play Week 13 against the Raiders due to the expected birth of his child.

Clay did not travel with the team to Oakland on Saturday, and it does not look like he will make the trip on his own. Clay has not contributed much this year, but the Bills are dangerously short of pass catchers. Sammy Watkins may be forced into more snaps than Buffalo would otherwise like to see.

Bills GM Doug Whaley said he would be disappointed if Cyrus Kouandjio did not win the right tackle job.

A 2014 second-round pick, Kouandjio entered his first two offseasons as the favorite to start at right tackle, but he lost out both times to Seantrel Henderson. With Henderson battling Crohn's disease, Kouandjio should get another shot this year, but he is second-favorite to Jordan Mills for the job. The Buffalo News has called this a "make-or-break" year for Kouandjio's Bills career.

It's the former starter's second substance-abuse suspension of the season. Henderson said he smokes marijuana for pain relief from his Crohn's disease. Cyrus Kouandjio will finish out the year as Buffalo's swing tackle. Henderson is signed for $690,000 next season. Any time a player earns a 10-game substance-abuse ban, their career is in doubt.